Assam: Mukhya Mantrir Bigyan Darshan launched in Barak Valley
11 child scientists who represented Hailakandi in the National Children Science Congress were felicitated by the dignitaries with a memento and commendation certificate.
Hailakandi
Minister for Science and Technology and Information Technology, Keshab Mahanta formally launched the Mukhya Mantrir Bigyan Darshan (MMBD) for three districts of Barak Valley of Assam in Hailakandi on Monday.
Inaugurating the central function at Rabindra Bhawan auditorium here, Minister Keshab Mahanta said the objective behind the MMBD scheme is to inculcate science temper and the spirit of inquiry and reform not only among the rural students but also senior citizens and members of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Introducing science is the driving force behind the scheme, Mahanta said that science has become an indispensable part of our lives with many of us even realising it.
Describing science as truth and truth science, Mahanta said, “Science is based on evidence rather than pre-conceived notions. Science is hallmark of perfection and accuracy.” He said the development of scientific temper would help the society to get rid of superstitions and blind beliefs and to do away with witch hunting and black magic.
The minister said at the behest of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the science award has been instituted to recognize the contribution of scientists and organisations associated with promotion of science. He said a slew of steps are being initiated to set up a Smart City, Tech City, Bio Technology Park in Guwahati and Science Centre in every district. He said the Science Centre would soon come up in Hailakandi for which tender has been floated and land acquisition in process.
Mahanta further said the state government has provided Rs.15 lakh as grant annually to the Assam Science Society so that it can take up more science related activities and also assistance to Sadou Asom Moina Parijat for making science attractive and popular among the children.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, Aminul Haque Laskar said the aim behind formulating the scheme is to bring science closer to the people and to make it as an attractive career option for the students. Laskar urged the people to make science as a way of life sans which no advancement can be made on any front.
Director, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council, Dr.Arup Kumar Misra said the MMBD is a pet project of the Chief Minister and it has been envisioned to foster scientific temper down to the grassroots level of governance. Dr. Misra said the scheme aims at 50 per cent participation from PRIs and 50 per cent from students of rural areas. He hoped that the scheme would help to generate interest in pure and natural science.
Deputy Commissioner, Keerthi Jalli said such program generates scientific spirit and inventive ideas and thanked the Minister for organising the event in Hailakandi and requested for more such programmes in the near future.
MLA Karimganj South Aziz Ahmed Khan said the science exposure tour is a novel initiative for the rural students, senior citizens and representatives of PRIs to have a basic understanding of diverse avenues of science and its latest trends in technological applications.
Vice president of Hailakandi Zilla Parishad, Hillaluddin Borbhuiyan, former principal of SS College, Bijoy Kumar Dhar were present. Additional Deputy Commissioner, RK Dam delivered the welcome address while the vote of thanks was offered by Officer in Charge, Vigyan Mandir, Baharul Islam Laskar.
Earlier, 11 child scientists who represented Hailakandi in the National Children Science Congress were felicitated by the dignitaries with a memento and commendation certificate.
During the two-day event, students, senior citizens and members of panchayat bodies will be taken on an exposure visit to Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Mobile planetarium show, science on wheels, workshop on astronomy and talk show on science behind miracle have also been organised.
